Pickup implement



Nov. 20, 1951 F. M. FRAGA PICKUP IMPLEMENT 2 SHEETSf-SHEET l Filed Dec. 3, 1945 .P Inl. I I {..I 'L :.iillll ATTORNEYS Nov. 20, 1951 F. M, FRAGA PICKUP IMPLEMENT 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1945 NVENTOR i Fran/c MF1-aga M15 vowi.,

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PICKUP IMPLEMENT Frank M.,Fraga, Fresno, Calif.

Application December 3, 1945, Serial No. 632,317

1 Claim.

. This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, an improved agricultural implement of the pick-up type; i. e. an implement, such as a disc harrow, adapted to be connected in draft relation to the power lift of a tractor, whereby said power lift is operative to control the working depth of the implement, or to bodily lift the implement clear of the ground for turns ment is relatively short, which facilitates lifting by the power lift of the tractor.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an agricultural implement which includes a main frame, and novel means laterally adjustably mounting the soil working elements thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device, and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure l is a side elevation of the implement shown in full lines in working position, and in dotted lines in lifted position.

Figure l2 is a' plan view of the implement.

Figure 3 is across section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a cross section on line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the invention is here shown as embodied in a disc harrow implement, wherein the numeral I indicates a horizontal, rigid main frame of generally triangular conguration in plan andincluding a front beam 2 and a rear beam 3, which beams converge laterally of the implement.

A front disc gang 4 is disposed mainly beneath and corresponds to the front beam, while a rear disc gang 5 is disposed mainly beneath and corresponds to the rear beam 3.

The disc gangs 4 and 5 include top beams, in-

dicated at 6 and 1, respectively, disposed in symmetrical abutting relation against the front and rear beams 2 and 3 of the main frame I.

The top beams 6 and 'I of the disc gangs are normally xed, but relatively longitudinally adjustably secured, to the corresponding beams 2 and 3 of the main frame by means of attachment plates 8 secured to said beams 2 and 3 in over? hanging relation to the top beams 6 and 1 of the disc gangs. The attachment plates 8- are adjustably connected to the top beamsv B and 'I by means of bolts 9 adapted to engage selectively in any one of a row of holes in said top beams adjacent each attachment plate. r

In order to foreshorten the implement, and to thereby make it easier to lift the same, each disc gang includes a pair of individual disc gang sections I offset horizontally and axially of each other, as shown, with adjacent end spindlesof said gang sections connected by oiset brackets Illa. As the front and rear disc gangs-4 and Y5 are diagonal in opposite directions, corresponding sections I0 of said gangs are offset in opposite directions lengthwise of the direction of travel, in the manner illustrated. Y

An upstanding, transversely extending A-frame Il, hereinafter referred to as the 4rear A-frame, is laterally adjustably secured at its lower end, on a transverse cross shaft I2 secured to the main frame intermediate the front and rear endsjofthe latter. The rear A-frame is maintained in normally rigid relation to the main frame by means of a rearwardlyand downwardly inclined link I3, which connects between the upper end of said rear A-frame II and a right angle cross rod I4 secured in connection with the rear beam 3 of the mainframe I.

Ahead of the main frame I, and in longitudinal alinement with the rear A-frame II, is a front upstanding A-frame I5.

A pair of transversely spaced draft links I6 are disposed above the forward portion of the main frame I and pivotally connect at their rear ends to the rear A-frame II adjacent its lower end and rigidly connect to the front A-frame I5 likewise adjacent its lower end. A longitudinaly adjustable tie or turnbuckle link I'I is connected between the upper end of the rear A-frame II and a longitudinally swingable, upstanding clevis I8 pivotally mounted on and included in the front A-frame I5 at the top of the latter.

The above described implement is adapted to be connected in draft and lift relation with the power lift unit of a tractor, indicated generally at I9, and which includes power actuated lift links 2D. When the implementl is coupled to the tractor the power actuated lift links 23 are pivotally connected, as at 2|, to the lower end of the front A-frame I5, below the draft links I6.

The power lift unit of the tractor also includes, in a central plane above the power actuated lift links 20, a longitudinally extending thrust arm 22 which is connected with mechanism (not shown) on the tractor which causes actuation of the links 2.0 uponl predeterminedv longitudinal movement of said thrust arm 22. For example, when the thrust arm 22 is forced forwardly a predetermined distance the lift links 2i) are power actuated in a raising direction. The thrust arm' 22 is pivotally connected, at its rear end, to the clevis I8, as at 23.

Thus, when the drag of the implement becomes too great for the traction of the tractor, and which drag is reilected, by reaction through link I3, as forward thrust in the adjustable turnbuckle link 1, a corresponding thrust is imparted through the arm 22,. with the result above described; i. e. the actuation in ya raising direction of the lift links 2U'. This in turn raises the implement somewhat to relieve the aforesaid excess drag.

A transversely spaced pair of tension bars 24 are pivotally connected between the upper end of the front A-frame I5 independently7 of the clevis I8, and a Xed point on the tractor frame 25', as at 262 These tension bars maintain the frontA-frame I5 in itsupstanding position, andin cooperation with the lift links 2li-carry substanti'allvA all the weight of the implementso that the thrust arm 22, and the automatic lift control mechanism ofthe tractor towhich said thrust arm is connected, are relievedY of the strain which would otherwise be imposed thereon. In other words, the supporting frame and lift arrangement for the implementare so designed that, inany position of vertical adjustment of said implement, the weight of the latter cannot work against and adversely aflect said automatic Ii'ft control mechanism, or effective operation of the links I-'3 and I T, andl thrust arms 2tA by means of which drag reaction or the implement actuates' said mechanism.

By reason of the particular construction of the implement, including the foreshortening thereof by the odset disc sections, together with the particular A-frame and link assembly, the impiement can be readily lift-controlled by the power lift unit of the tractor, with a nicety of adjustment for earth working, and tov a relatively high point for turns or transport'.

' The adjustable assembly of the front beams 21 and 3 ofA the main frame, and the top beams 6. and 'l of the disc gangs, makes possible. relative lateral adustment of said disc gangs without i-'rranyway interfering with the lift mechanism of the implement. In addition, the entire main iframe'V t, together with the disc gangs as mounted thereon, is adjustable laterally of: the direction ISO of travel; such adjustment being accomplished through the medium of adjustable set collars 21 secured on the transverse cross shaft I2, the position of the rear A-frame Il being determined by the setting of said collars. The lower end of the link I3 is slidable on the transverse cross rod I4 so as to move to a position corresponding to any position of adjustment of the rear A- frame II.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specication sets forth in detail the presenty and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such details maybe resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention. as de- 'ined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful and' upon which Letters Patentare desired:

A-n implement' lifting hitch for av tractor which includes, at the rear, a transversely spaced pair of lift links and a longitudinally movable thrust arm operative` to cause actuation of the links, such hitch comprising a rigid upstandingl frame, means for pivoting the links to the lower' endi of such frame, a tension link adapted to be pivotally connected at one end to the tractor and at the other end to the frame above the links, a vertically disposed rigid member p'ivotcd` onthe upstanding frame and comprising a relatively short clevis, the outerl end of said thrust armi. being pivoted to said clevis.. an implement car rying frame mounted for vertical swinging move-k ment relative to the upstandingV frame and incl-uding another upright member rigidwith saidA implement carrying frame, and a tie link pivoted at one end to the clevis and pivoted at the other end on said last named upright member whereby to effect swinging movement of such vertically disposed member, and consequent movement of' the thrust arm, in response to vertical swinging movement of the implement frame.

FRANK M. ZERAGA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re.22,627 McKay Apr. 3, 1945' 1,230,261 Zelle June 1'9, 1917 2,320,624 LoveV June 1, 1943 2,335,156 McMahon Nov. 23, 1943' 2,336,848 Cruse Deo. 14, 1943 2,352,963 McMahon July 4, 1944 2,356,876 Newkirk Aug. 29, 1944 2,414,114:A Martin Jan. 14, 1947 2,456,693v Fraga Dec. 21, 1948 

